Thursday, August 20, 2015

It all started this summer when Xu Jinglei, actor and director, unapologetically shared that she froze her eggs in the United States. Unfortunately, this was not well received in China for two reasons: her age and marital status. She's 41 and single.

China's Ministry of Health has set some new boundaries for egg freezing: "Chinese couples interested in using assisted reproductive technology must present their marriage certificate, identity cards and birth permits and prove that at least one partner is suffering from fertility difficulties if they want to use the technology."

Wait a minute. It's my understanding that single Chinese women don't receive birth permits and for obvious reasons don't have marriage certificates. Is the Ministry of Health saying that unmarried women are not allowed to go through the egg freezing process?

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

I remember myself as a teenager. I was shy, incredibly unsure, afraid of almost everything and possessed the magical ability to blush instantaneously if a cute, teenage boy looked in my direction. I had no idea who I was, never mind, who I wanted to be. I was all over the place. Who am I kidding? I'm 39 and some days I still feel like I have no idea what the hell I'm doing in this life.

You know the one thing I've never doubted? That I wanted to be a mother.

A friend sent me a link to an article about a transgender teen who chose to freeze her eggs before transitioning into a man. After reading about Cole and watching the video, my first thought was, "Wow. That's one brave kid." I admire that at 18 years old, Cole knows who he is and who he wants to be.

Trailer

Hi, I'm Jenni

Questions or Comments?

Background

During my egg freezing research, I looked for anything and everything to read or watch that would give me a better idea of what to expect during the process. Most of the information out there speaks to the science, which is fascinating. But there’s another huge, important piece that’s being left out--The physical and emotional responses a woman experiences throughout the egg freezing process. I wanted to share my adventure in a way where others could participate - see what I saw; feel what I felt. That’s how Chill was born.

The Film

Chill is a touching documentary about a single woman fighting to preserve her fertility and dreams of motherhood through egg freezing in her mid-thirties. Weeks before she decided to freeze her eggs, Jenni began documenting her thoughts on fertility and parenthood. Throughout the film, she shares her story with vulnerability, courage and humor. Chill is more than a film; it’s a mindset. It’s about determination, living with intention and being true to yourself. This story is as original as it is relatable and when it comes to fertility, educational as it is eye opening. Ultimately, Chill is an inspirational film about hope, love and family.